Fluid drilling process and apparatus



y 1969 J. J. CONNOLLY 3,455,515

FLUID DRILLING PROCESS AND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 16, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet1 AIR UNDER PRESSURE .6' FlG 2 FIG 3 FIG 4 ZZITE/IZ' v i I INVENTOR,

---- N J. CONNOI L BY V Ila.

ATTORNEYS July 15, 1969 J. J. CONNOLLY 3,455,515

FLUID DRILLING PROCESS AND APPARATUS Filed Dec. 16, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet2 FlG ..1O

A A A 57 1' 59 59' f I I I7 T WATER 6O UNDER PRESSURE I6 65 [/63 v n 66t L I A 67% 67 f L, I i 62 r l s9 FIG 11 INVENTOR.

JOHN J. CONNOL'LY TMJ' 'wTmm/ ATTORNEYS United States Patent FLUIDDRILLING PROCESS AND APPARATUS John J. Connolly, Millbrae, Calif.,assignor, by mesne assignments, to Coyne Cylinder Co., San Francisco,Cal1f.,

a corporation of California Filed Dec. 16, 1966, Ser. No. 602,347

Int. Cl. 1302c 19/00; E21c 37/00; B07b 11/00 US. Cl. 241-15 17 ClaimsABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method for removing solidified insolublefiller mate- :rial from within a container having an aperture of lessercross section than the largest cross section of the enclosed solidifiedinsoluble material that includes subjecting the filler material toimpingement with a stream of liquid under high pressure, the velocity ofthe stream being at least sufficient to disintegrate a portion of thefiller material, and apparatus for accomplishing the same.

This invention relates to a process for removing insolublecementitious-type filler material from within a container having anopening of smaller cross section than the largest cross section of thefiller material. More particularly, this invention is directed to aprocess for the rapid disintegration and removal of insoluble, hardened,cementitious fillers from a container or cylinder by projecting a streamof liquid such as water against the filler material at a velocitysuflicient to disintegrate the filler material and to apparatus foraccomplishing the same.

In the storage of highly unstable gases such as acetylene, solidifiedporous filler materials are disposed within the storage unit to assistin dispersing and preventing local concentration of the gas that couldcreate a hazardous and explosive condition within the unit. Among theporous filler materials which have been employed in this manner arethose which are formed, for example, from calcium hydrate and silica;see US. Patent 3,077,708, issued Feb. 19, 1963. These high strength,dimensionally stable materials are normally further combined withfibrous materials such as asbestos, charcoal and the like, to producefillers with various porosity characteristics. The resultingfibercontaining compositions retain high strength properties in additionto high porosity and are ideally suited for filling cylinders employedto store fluids under high pressure.

In normal operations, the filler ingredients are introduced in afluidized form through a conventional gauge opening into the storagecontainer and allowed to cure (set) usually at an elevated temperature.This curing step drives off large quantities of Water and othervolatiles, leaving a hardened porous insoluble mass which substantiallyfills the entire container.

When it has been necessary or desirable to remove the insoluble fillerto replace the filler or utilize the container in a different manner,such removal has been found to be extremely diflicult at best. Therelatively small openings in this type of container, i.e., the aperturesinto which valves are threaded and through which the fluidizedcementitious filler is initially introduced, are of insuflicient crosssection to receive mechanical implements such as drill bits and the likeof adequate size to assist in the removal of the hardened filler mass.Therefore, it has been necessary heretofore to at least partiallydisassemble or destroy such containers in order to mechanically extractthe hard insoluble filler material therefrom.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to removea hardened mass of insoluble filler material from within a containerhaving an opening of lesser cross section than the largest cross sectionof the filler 3,455,515 Patented July 15, 1969 material by directing astream of liquid against the filler material at a velocity sufficient todisintegrate the filler material.

It is a further object of this invention to provide apparatus forremoving hardened insoluble filler material from within a containerhaving an aperture of small cross section by discharging a stream ofwater under high pressure from a straight confined path at a velocitysuflicient for destructive contact against the filler material withinthe container to produce disintegrated filler particles which will flowout of the container along with spent water.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novelfluid-projecting device for introducing a stream of water under highpressure into a container and changing the direction of the stream ofWater in such a manner that the resulting stream will have a velocitysufiicient, when discharged against an insoluble hardened filler massdisposed within the container, to cause the disintegration of the mass.

Broadly stated, the present invention is directed to a novel processwhich includes introducing a stream of water under high pressure into anenclosed container filled with a mass of cementitious insoluble materialwithout altering the outer configuration of the container. The stream iseither introduced at a velocity sufiicient to destroy the unity of thehardened insoluble mass or is accelerated to this desired velocitysubsequent to its introduction. The stream is then conducted, transverseto its direction of introduction through the aperture, along a straightconfined path for a distance sufficient to diminish the turbulencecaused by the directional change so that the velocity of the stream,when discharged from the confined path, will remain sufficient todisintegrate the hardened insoluble mass. The stream is then discharged(projected) from the straight confined path out against the hardenedinsoluble mass to destroy the unity of the hardened mass. The resultingdisintegrated filler particles are caused to flow from within thecontainer along with the spent Water which results from dissipation ofthe high velocity stream through impingement against the filler :mass.

As will be more fully described hereinafter, a fluiddispersing(fluid-projecting) means, including at least one nozzle having an outerportion which defines a straight confined path of a length suflicient tomaintain a stream velocity sufficient to disintegrate an insolublefiller mass, is employed to accomplish the aforementioned directionalchange in the stream. The fluid-dispersing means has a sufficientlysmall cross section so that it can be inserted through a valve-receivingaperture with which pressureresistant containers of this type areconventionally formed.

To accomplish the broad objectives of this invention, it has been foundadvantageous to first form a channel or tubular cavity extendinginwardly from an aperture in the container through the insoluble fillermaterial. Thus, an access path is provided for advancing thefluid-dispersing means into close proximity to the filler mass so that ahigh-pressure stream of water may be projected against the surface ofthe remaining insoluble filler mass. This preliminary channel can beproduced in a number of ways. For example, a drill bit having a lessercross section than the cross section of an aperture in the container canbe inserted and a channel formed by conventional mechanical drilling.However, the channel produced with such a mechanical implement willinherently be of lesser cross section than the cross section of theaperture. Furthermore, any fibrous components, such as asbestos, presentin the insoluble filler mass will tend to adhere to the drill bit andreduce the effectiveness of the drilling operation.

Therefore, it has been found preferable to employ a firstfluid-dispersing means designed to propel a stream of water, at avelocity sufficient to disintegrate a portion of the insoluble fillermass, in a direction generally parallel to the direction of insertion ofthis first fluid-dispersing means. In this manner, the channel is formedgenerally ahead of the fluid-dispersing means and can be extended alongthe length of the filler mass by advancing the fluiddispersing means.Furthermore, it has been found that the channel, produced by a stream ofwater under high pressure and directed in this manner, has asubstantially greater cross section than the cross section of theaperture through which the fluid-dispersing means is initially inserted.

After an initial channel or cavity has been provided through theinsoluble filler mass, a second novel fluiddispersing means is insertedin the container through the aperture. This second means changes thedirection of the high-pressure stream of water so that it is projectedagainst the remaining filler mass while maintaining the stream of Waterat a velocity sufiicient to accomplish the desired disintegration. Bythis is meant that the stream of water is directed against the surfaceof the remaining insoluble cementitious filler transverse to the accesspath provided by the initial channel or cavity While maintainingsuflicient velocity to provide the necessary disintegration. Thisintense stream causes disintegration of the filler mass outwardly fromthe tubular cavity towards the wall of the container along a pathgenerally defined by the direction of the intense stream of water. Thus,through properly timed advancement of the second fluiddispersing meansalong the tubular cavity, impingement of the stream of Water on theremaining portion of the filler mass produces complete disintegration ofthe insoluble filler mass.

The process of this invention can be most advantageously accomplishedwhen the container, that is to be freed of a hardened insoluble filler,is positioned so that filler particles that are broken away from thefiller mass by the impingement of a high-pressure stream of water willbe continually removed from the vicinity of contact between thehigh-pressure water and the remaining integral filler mass. Thus, byaligning the container with an aperture disposed near the lower endthereof, the means provided for directing the high-pressure stream ofWater can be advanced upwardly through the aperture into the container,while projecting the high-pressure stream of water against the insolublefiller. In this manner particles of the insoluble filler mass which arebroken away from the mass gravitate downwardly along with the spentwater toward the bottom of the container where the aperture is located.The disintegrated filler particles are then removed from the containerthrough that portion of the aperture which is not occupied by thefluiddispersing means.

In a still further aspect of the process of this invention, provision ismade for a stream of air under high pressure to be introduced into thecontainer through an aperture preferably spaced upwardly from theaperture through which the water under high pressure is beingintroduced. This high-pressure air stream has been found to increase therate at which the spent water is forced from the container, therebypreventing a buildup of water Which would flood the container andsubmerge the fluid-dispersing means. Submerging the fluid-dispersingmeans is undesirable as it causes the force exerted by the high-pressurestream of water to be dissipated by contacting the spent water ratherthan on impact with the insoluble filler mass.

Through the application of slight rotational movement to the containerduring impingement of the high-pressure stream of water against theenclosed filler mass, a further increase in the rate at which theinsoluble cementitious filler material is removed will be obtained. Thisadvantage has been observed irrespective of the direction of rotation ofthe container.

Turning now to the apparatus of this invention, various means arecontemplated for accelerating the disintegration of the insoluble fillermaterial and the rate of removal of the disintegrated material as itgravitates to the lower end of the container. As previously set forth,it has been found advantageous to provide fluid-dispersing means havingtwo distinct configurations. The first fluiddispersing means is formedto propel a high-pressure stream of water against the surface of thefiller mass along, i.e., in a direction substantially parallel to adirection corresponding to the advancement of the fluid-dispersing meansinto the container. Through the use of this first fluid-dispersingmeans, the resulting tubular channel into the filler mass provides anunencumbered guide path for insertion of a second fluid-dispersing meansto freely propel high-pressure water against the surface of theremaining filler mass transverse to the direction of advancement of thefluid-dispersing means while maintaining sufiicient velocity todisintegrate the filler mass. In this manner, a very efiicient two-phaseoperation is provided which produces a rapid and simple removal of thehardened filler mass from within containers such as those employed tostore fluids under high pressure.

In still another aspect of this invention, it has been found that whenthe insoluble filler mass is of high strength, the rate of removal ofthe disintegrated filler particles from the container can besubstantially increased by insuring that these disintegrated particlesare of a size to be easily removed along with the spent water throughthat portion of the inlet not occupied by the support for thefluid-dispersing means. This is best accomplished by providing anauxiliary source of highpressure water which is inserted into theaperture alongside the fluid-dispersing means and adjacent the inneredge of the aperture. This auxiliary source of Water under high pressureimpinges upon the disintegrated particles that have gravitated to thebottom of the container and produces an additional secondary reduction(comminution) in the overall size of the particles. In this way, theparticles can then flow from the container with the spent water.

When a softer insoluble cementitious filler is to be removed, thisdesirable secondary size reduction of the disintegrated particles can beaccomplished through the use of a rotatable helical auger mounted aroundthe tubular conduit which supports the fluid-dispersing means. Byrotating this auger at high speeds in the proper direction, theparticles which have been broken away from the main filler mass andgravitated to the bottom of the container with the spent water will befurther comminuted by mechanical contact with the helical surface.Furthermore, by proper rotation of this helical surface, the descendingconfiguration of the auger will assist in causing the filler particlesand spent water to flow through the aperture and out of the container.

The invention will be more fully understood when reference is made tothe following detailed disclosure especially in view of the attacheddrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of thisinvention;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are further schematic views illustrating the subsequentsteps of operation relating to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a fluid-dispersing head employed toproduce the tubular cavity illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top plan View of the fluid-dispersing head of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view illustrating afluid-dispersing head employed to disintegrate the remaining hardenedporous filler as schematically illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the fluid-dispersing head illustrated inFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary schematic illustration of the nozzle jetsillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a. second embodiment ofthis invention; and

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the preferredembodiment of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar characters of referencerepresent corresponding parts in each of the several views, there isshown a cylinder A mounted upon table B. Table B is fabricated of asuitable highstrength material such as steel and the like and includesplatform 10 having an opening 11 and means (not shown) for theoi-directional variable speed rotation of platform 10 about a verticalaxis through opening 11. Cylinder A, including apertures 12 and 12, ispositioned so that aperture 12 is coaxially aligned with opening 11 inplatform 10. Table B also includes frame members 13 and sleeve member 14for retaining cylinder A preferably as shown.

As further schematically illustrated by FIG. 1, conduit C of rigidconstruction, is disposed for insertion and retraction through aperture12 into cylinder A. Conduit C, having a tubular passage 15, is connectedthrough coupling 16 to pump 17 for supplying a stream of water underhigh pressure (not shown) to fluid-dispersing head D. Fluiddispersinghead D is attached to the outer end of conduit C in a conventionalmanner such as by screw threads (partially shown in FIGS. 5 and 7).

In operation, cylinder A is first positioned on rotatable table B withaperture 12 thereof disposed downwardly and coaxially aligned withopening 11 in platform 10. It is preferred that cylinder A be disposedso that aperture 12 is located near the bottom thereof as illustrated inFIGS. 1-4. In this manner, the spent water resulting from dissipation ofthe stream of water under high pressure gravitates toward the bottom ofcylinder A and flows out through aperture 12.

Fluid-dispersing head D, supported by conduit C, is inserted intoaperture 12 and cylinder A. An intense stream of water under highpressure is supplied by pump 17 through tubular passage in conduit Cwhile cylinder A is slowly rotated. The stream of water under highpressure is propelled at high speed out of fluid-dispersing head D andimpinges upon insoluble porous filler mass 25 with sufficient velocityto cause disintegration thereof into filler particles 25'. As the fillermass 25 disintegrates under the force of this high velocity stream ofwater, tubular channel or cavity 36 of substantially greater crosssection than that of aperture 12 is formed. Upward advancement ofconduit C and head D into continued close proximity with the remainingsurface of mass 25 extends channel 36 for the full length of cylinder A,as shown in FIG. 2.

When tubular channel 36 is completed through the full length of mass 25,fluid-dispersing head D, hereinafter more fully described with referenceto FIGS. 5 and 6, is withdrawn from cylinder A. Fluid-dispersing head Dis then removed from conduit C and replaced by head D, hereinafter morefully described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Fluid-dispersing headD, along with conduit C, is then inserted into channel 36 in filler mass25 within cylinder A. Fluid-dispersing head D is slowly raised alongchannel 36 while projecting a stream of water against filler mass 25 ata velocity sufficient to disintegrate that portion of filler mass 25which is located in the path of the intense stream of water. Thereafterby rotating cylinder A, the stream of water is propelled against aconstantly changing surface of filler mass 25 so that mass 25 issubstantially completely disintegrated as fluid-dispersing head D isadvanced into cylinder A. Of course, this desired rotation can also beaccomplished by rotating conduit C, including fluid-dispersing head D orD, either simultaneously with the rotation of cylinder A or in lieuthereof.

To insure rapid egress through inlet 12 of disintegrated particles 25 offiller mass 25 and the spent water 26 resulting from dissipation of thestream of water a source of air under high pressure is employed. This ismost conveniently accomplished by attaching a source of air under highpressure (not shown) to aperture 12' disposed above aperture 12 andpreferably near the upper end of cylinder A. The air source is providedthrough tube 22 and coupling 16 attached at aperture 12 of cylinder A.One skilled in this art will recognize the advantage to be gained byemploying conventional pressure seals around couplings 16 and 16 toinsure that the effect of the pressure exerted by the air beingintroduced from tube 22 will be directed against the surface of thespent water 26. In this manner buildup of spent water 26 within cylinderA is inhibited to minimize the possibility of either fluid-dispersinghead D or D becoming submerged.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, fluid-dispersing head D includes tubularsleeve 30 having female threads 31 along one end thereof correspondingto male threads (not shown) on the outer end of conduit C. Mountedwithin the other end of sleeve 30, by welding or in some otherconventional manner, is nozzle 32 having a frusto-conical shaped outerend. Nozzle 32 is provided at this outer end with orifice 34 whichdirects a portion of the high pressure stream of water parallel to thedirection of advancement of fluid-dispersing head D supported on conduitC.

Spaced around the frusto portion of nozzle 32 are orifices 34 which areslanted outwardly at a rather steep angle with respect to thelongitudinal axis of conduit C. It will be apparent to one skilled inthat art that nozzle 32 may be of any other geometric configuration suchas, for example, semispherical, as long as orifices 34 and 34 arearranged to propel the stream of water under high pressure in adirection generally in advance of head D and preferably parallel to thelongitudinal axis of conduit C so as to form channel 36, as illustratedin FIG. 2, when fluid-dispersing head D is advanced in cylinder A.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, fluid-dispersing head D includes sleeve 40having female threads 31 at one end corresponding to male threads (notshown) on the outer end of conduit C. Head D is provided with nozzle 42held within the other end of sleeve 40 in some conventional manner suchas by welding. Nozzle 42 is provided with an outer portion 43 defining astraight tubular passage preferably formed to project the high-pressurestream of water from conduit C substantially perpendicular to channel36. In this manner, the distance that the stream of water is projectedprior to impingement with the surface of mass 25 is minimized.

It will be apparent to one skilled in this art that when outer portion43 is disposed at an angle to channel 35, the stream of water isprojected through a longer distance before impinging upon mass 25.Therefore, the velocity of the stream of water, which inherentlydecreases as the distance from head D increases, will be reduced whenouter portion 43 forms an angle with channel 36. However, it is withinthe scope of this invention to provide outer portion 43 to project astream of water in any direction transverse to the axis of tubularchannel 36 provided that the velocity at impact is maintained sufficientto disintergrate mass 25.

In a preferred embodiment, head D is formed with a second nozzle 42'having a straight outer portion 43' disposed to direct a high-pressurestream of water, While maintaining a velocity sufficient to disintegratemass 25, oblique to the longitudinal axis of tubular channel 36. It ispreferred that nozzle 42 be modified so that its outer portion 43 formsan acute angle, such as about 30, with a plane normal to the axis ofconduit C. In this manner, the stream of water which is propelled athigh velocity outwardly from nozzle 42 will impinge upon mass 25slightly ahead of head D. Thus, when conduit C and head D have beeninserted for substantially the full length of cylinder A, the stream ofwater being emitted from nozzle 42 through outer portion 43 will bedirected into upper corners 44 of cylinder A and thereby insure completedisintegration of filler mass 25.

It has been found to :be of critical importance to provide straightouter portions 43 and 43' of nozzles 42 and 42, respectively, with asufiicient length to eliminate turbulence in the respective stream ofwater which is emitted under high pressure. The required length forouter portions 43 and 43 has been found to be directly related to theangular change in direction to which the stream of water is subjectedwhen passing from conduit C to dispersing head D. As this angular changein direction increases, the length of the outer portion of the nozzlemust also be increased. When outer portions 43 and 43 are ofinsufficient length, the velocity (force) of the stream of water isdissipated by the turbulence resulting from the aforementioned change indirection. As a result, the velocity will be insuflicient todisintegrate filler mass 25.

The elimination of turbulence can be further enhanced, as shown in FIG.9, by the addition of orifice 46 to nozzle 42. Orifice 46 assists instraightening out" the stream of water prior to its emission from head Dso that the velocity of the projected stream will be suflicient todisintegrate filler mass 25. In the preferred embodiment, a similarorifice 46' is provided in the outer end of nozzle 42.

Nozzle 42 is preferably disposed in a direction, when projected on aplane perpendicular to the axis of tubular cavity 36, which is oppositeto the direction of the highpressure steam emitted by nozzle 42' whenprojected in a similar manner. Although nozzles 42 and 42', whenconstructed as illustrated in FIG. 7 and 8, would produce rotationalmovement of head D if head D is mounted to freely rotate, it isadvantageous to control the rotation of head D as set forth infra, withreference to FIG. 10.

It will be apparent to one skilled in this art that when head D isfreely rotatable, the rotational movement resulting from the release ofthe high-pressure stream of waterwill be accomplished at a sacrifice inthe impinging force exerted by the streams of water against the surfaceof filler mass 25. It will also be apparent to one skilled in this artthat any number of nozzles can be employed including a single nozzle 42.However, advantages have been found to result when fluid-dispersing headD is provided with each of the nozzles 42 and 42'.

Referring to FIG. 10, in another embodiment of this invention, conduit Cis provided with an outer helicallygrooved surface in the form of auger57. Conduit C is further provided with means for its rapid rotationincluding motor 58, pulleys 59 and 59 and pulley belt 60. In this mannerwhen conduit C is inserted into cylinder A, and motor 58 activated,auger 57 is rotated simultaneously with the fluid-dispersing headsecured on conduit C. Thus, the stream of water under high pressurewhich is emitted from head D or D is uniformly distributed around theexposed surface of filler mass 25 and, most importantly, auger 57assists in the further comminution of disintegrated filler particles 25.In addition, the auger 57 acts as a conveyor to remove particles 25 andspent water 26 resulting from impingement of the high-pressure waterstream.

Referring to FIG. 11, in a preferred embodiment of this invention whichhas been found to be particularly effective when insoluble cementitiousfiller mass 25 is of especially high strength, an auxiliary stream ofwater under high pressure is provided through assembly E. Assembly Eincludes a jet nozzle 61 which, in operation, is disposed alongsideconduit C at the mouth of aperture 12 of cylinder A as illustrated. Astream of water is then introduced under high pressure from a source(not shown), through tube 62, connector 63 and tube 64 which are influid communication with nozzle 61, and propelled from nozzle 61.

Assembly E is constructed so that nozzle 61, mounted on support 65, canbe moved (shown in phantom) about pin 66 and out of aperture 12. This isaccomplished by loosening nut 67 threaded on bolt 67 which is disposedthrough slot 68 in support 69. In this manner an auxiliary stream ofwater under high pressure is caused to impinge upon filler particles 25which have gravitated to the bottom of cylinder A after being brokenaway from filler mass 25. The impact of this auxiliary stream uponfiller particles 25' causes further disintegration (comminution) thereofand enhances their rate of removal out of cylinder A through aperture 12around conduit C.

By way of example it has been found that a conventional cylinder,containing a hard insoluble porous filler mass formed in accordance withUS. Patent 3,077,708, supra, can be disposed on table B as illustratedschematically in FIG. 1. Slight counterclockwise rotation was applied totable B and cylinder A, e.g., at about 6-8 revolutions/minute. ConduitC, having fluid-dispersing head D attached thereto, was inserted intoone-inch aperture 12 in cylinder A. Water under a pressure of more than3000 p.s.i. was directed through passage 15 of conduit C and out offluid-dispersing head D at a rate of about 10 gal. per minute. ConduitC, including auger 57 and head D, was rotated counterclockwise at about200 rpm. while being advanced into cylinder A.

Air under pressure of about p.s.i.g. was introduced through opening 12'in the upper end of cylinder A. Orifices 34 and 34 in head D were all of#54 drill size. Orifices 34' were formed at an angle of 45 to the axisof conduit C. A channel 36 about 2 /2 inches in diameter, was producedalong substantially to entire length of cylinder A. Pump 17, motor 58and the air pressure source were then shut otf and conduit C and head Dwithdrawn from cylinder A.

Head D was removed from conduit C and head D was secured to conduit C.Head D included nozzles 42 and 42 formed of inch OD steel tube. Orifices46 and 46' were provided in nozzles 42 and 42, respectively, withpassages of a #54 drill size. The outer portion 43 of nozzle 42 waspositioned at an angle of 60 to the axis of conduit C and the outerportion 43' of nozzle 42' was positioned perpendicular to the axis ofconduit C. The outer portions 43 and 43' of nozzles 42 and 42,respectively, were disposed so that when projected on a planeperpendicular to the axis of tubular cavity 36, the streams providedwere opposed to each other. Outer portions 43 and 43' were formed with alength sufficient to negate the turbulence resulting from the change indirection to which the stream of water under high pressure was subjectedin flowing from passage 15 in conduit C through head D.

Drill C was again inserted upwardly into the lower end of cylinder Aalong channel 36. Pump 17, motor 58 and the air pressure source wereagain activated and the remainder of filler mass 25 disintegrated andremoved from cylinder A. Complete removal was accomplished in about twohours with no damage to cylinder A.

By way of further example, auger 57 was removed from around conduit C.Another cylinder was positioned on table A and auxiliary jet assembly Ehaving a inch OD nozzle was mounted in aperture 12 alongside conduit Csupporting the appropriate fluid-dispersing head. As water wasconsecutively directed against the surface of filler mass 25 through thefluid-dispersing heads D and D, assembly E was activated to propel anauxiliary stream of water against particles 25' as they were broken awayfrom mass 25 and gravitated towards aperture 12. This auxiliary streamproduced further comminution of particles 25' and insured their egressaround conduit C out of aperture 12.

It will be apparent to one skilled in this art that the method andapparatus of this invention can be advantageously employed to remove aninsoluble filler material of larger cross section than the cross sectionof the largest inlet or outlet aperture in the container.

Although a number of embodiments of the invention have been particularlyshown and described, it will be apparent that other adaptations andmodifications can be made without departing from the true scope andspirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for removing a mass of solidified insoluble filler materialfrom within a container having an aperture of lesser cross section thanthe largest cross section of said solidified insoluble material,comprising the steps of: forming a tubular cavity extending from saidaperture into said mass; introducing a stream of liquid under highpressure through said aperture into said tubular cavity in a directionsubstantially parallel to said tubular cavity, said stream having avelocity at least sufficient to disintegrate at least a portion of thefiller material remaining after formation of said tubular cavity;conducting said stream in a direction transverse to said tubular cavityalong a straight confined path, said stream being confined along saidpath for a distance sufiicient to reduce any turbulence produced in saidstream as a result of the transverse change in direction so that saidstream will be discharged from said straight confined path at saidsufficient velocity; discharging said stream from said straight confinedpath against said remaining filler material to cause saiddisintegration; continuing the discharge of said stream at saiddisintegrating velocity for a time sufiicient to disintegrate at leastthat portion of said filler material which extends in the direction ofsaid discharge from said cavity to the wall of said container; removingsaid disintegrated filler material from said container; and advancingthe discharge of said stream along said tubular cavity as said fillermaterial is disintegrated so that when the advancement has been extendedfrom said aperture through said mass, substantially all of said fillermaterial will have been disintegrated and removed.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 and further characterized bydisposing said container with said aperture at about the bottom thereofand allowing the disintegrated material to gravitate toward the bottomof said container whereby said disintegrated material continuously flowsfrom said container.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2 and further characterized bysupplying a stream of air to said container through a second aperturespaced upwardly from first said aperture, said stream of air being undersufficient pressure to increase the rate of removal of saiddisintegrated material from said container through first said aperture.

4. A method in accordance with claim 2 and further characterized byrotating said container about an axis extending through the axis of saidaperture to enhance the rate at which the disintegration of said fillermaterial is accomplished.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4 and further characterized byintroducing a second liquid stream into said tubular cavity through saidaperture, said second stream having a sufiicient velocity to comminutethe disintegrated material which gravitates toward said aperture todecrease the size of said disintegrated material; and projecting saidsecond stream from about said aperture into said container in adirection substantially parallel to the axis of said tubular cavity tocomminute said disintegrated material to insure that the comminutedmaterial will flow from said container through said aperture.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said tubular cavity isformed by introducing a stream of liquid through said aperture in saidcontainer to impinge upon said filler material, said stream having avelocity sufficient to disintegrate a portion of the filler material;projecting said stream against the exposed surface of said fillermaterial while maintaining said disintegration velocity; continuing theprojection of said stream for a time sufiicient to disintegrate aportion of said filler material; and advancing the projection of saidstream through said mass of filler material in a direction defined bythe disintegration of the portion of said filler material to form saidtubular cavity.

7. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said stream is introducedinto said tubular cavity from rotating means whereby the projection ofsaid stream is accomplished during the rotation of said means.

8. A method for removing a solidified insoluble filler material fromwithin a container having an aperture of lesser cross section than thelargest cross section of said solidified insoluble material, comprising:providing a first means for directing a first stream of water at avelocity sufficient to disintegrate a portion of said filler material;inserting said first means into said container through said aperture;projecting said first stream against the exposed surface of said fillermaterial while maintaining said first stream at said disintegratingvelocity for a time suflicient to disintegrate a portion of saidmaterial; advancing said first means generally along the direction ofprojection of said stream while continuing said projection to form atubular cavity in the remainder of said material; withdrawing said firstmeans from said container; providing a second means of lesser crosssection than said aperture and tubular cavity for projecting a secondstream of water under high pressure against said filler materialtransverse to the axis of said tubular cavity and at a velocitysufficient to disintegrate at least a portion of the remainder of saidfiller material; inserting said second means through said aperture intosaid tubular cavity; projecting said second stream against said fillermaterial while maintaining said second stream at said disintegratingvelocity; continuing the projection of said second stream for a timesuflicient to disintegrate at least that portion of said filler materialwhich extends in the direction of said projection from said cavity tothe wall of said container; removing said disintegrated filler materialfrom said container and advancing said second means along said tubularcavity while continuing the projection of said second stream at saiddisintegrating velocity so that when the advancement has been completed,substantially all of said filler material will have been disintegratedand removed.

9. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein said second meansincludes an outer straight conducting path of sufiicient length toreduce any turbulence produced by the transverse projection of saidstream so that said stream will be projected from said straightconducting path at said sufiicient velocity.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9 and further' characterized bydisposing said container with the aperture at about the bottom thereof;and continuously removing from said container through said aperture thedisintegrated material that gravitates toward the bottom of saidcontainer during said dispersion.

11. A method in accordance with claim 9 and further characterized byproviding means for rotating said container about an axis through theaxis of first said aperture to enhance the rate at which thedisintegration of said filler material is accomplished.

12. A method in accordance with claim 11 and further characterized byproviding a third means within said aperture for projection of anauxiliary stream of water at sufiicient velocity to comminute saiddisintegrated filler material; projecting said auxiliary streamsimultaneously with the projection of said first or second stream ofwater whereby the rate of removal of said disintegrated filler materialfrom said container through first said aperture will be enhanced.

13. A method in accordance with claim 11 and further characterized byproviding said first and second means with a helically-groovedlongitudinal surface and providing rotation means for said first andsecond means so that the rotation of either of said means will causesaid helically-grooved surface to contact the disintegrated portion ofsaid filler material as it falls toward said aperture thereby decreasingthe size of said disintegrated filler material to insure its flow fromsaid container through first said aperture.

14. A device suitable for removing solidified insoluble filler materialfrom within a container having aperture of lesser cross section than thelargest cross section of said soluble material, comprising: a tubularsupport; means attached to the first end of said support for supplying astream of liquid under high pressure to said support; and means attachedto the second end of said support for projecting said stream againstsaid solidified insoluble filler material transverse to said tubularsupport, said means including a pair of nozzles secured to and in fluidcontact with said second end of said tubular support, said pair ofnozzles each having an inner section generally aligned with the axis ofsaid tubular support, one of said pair of nozzles having an outersection dis posed at an oblique angle to said axis and the other of saidpair of nozzles having an outer section disposed at about a right angleto said axis, said pair of nozzles being generally disposed to dischargesaid stream of liquid in opposite directions, the outer sections of bothsaid nozzles defining a straight outer path of a length suflicient topnoject said stream at a velocity sufficient to disintegrate at least aportion of said filler material whereby when said means is inserted intoa tubular cavity in said filler material and said stream projectedagainst said material, at least a portion of said material will bedisintegrated.

15. A device in accordance with claim 14 and further characterized bymeans to rotate said container about its axis.

16. A device in accordance with claim 14 and further characterized by anadditional fluid-projecting means which is disposed at about saidaperture to provide an auxiliary stream of liquid at a velocitysufficient to comminute the disintegrated material produced by thestream from first said projection means.

17. A device suitable for removing solidified insoluble filler materialfrom within a container having an aperture of lesser cross section thanthe largest cross section of said insoluble material, comprising: atubular support; means attached to one end of said support for applyinga stream of liquid under high pressure to said support; and meansattached to the second end of said support for projecting said streamagainst said solidified insoluble filler material transverse to saidtubular support, said means defining a straight outer path of a lengthsufficient to project said stream at a velocity sufficient todisintegrate at least a portion of said filler material whereby whensaid means is inserted into a tubular cavity in said filler material andsaid stream projected against said material, at least a portion of saidmaterial will be disintegrated, said tub-ular support including ahelically-gro'oved outer surface whereby when said support is rotated,the helical surface contacts the disintegrated filler material andincreases the rate of removal of said disintegrated material from withinsaid container through said aperture.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,261,198 4/1918 Week et al.299-17 1,661,672 3/ 1928 Morrison 175-67 2,620,841 12/ 1952 Jacobson241-40 2,745,647 5/1956 Gilmore 299-17 3,030,086 4/1962 Donaldson et:al. 299-17 3,306,665 2/1967 Lobbe 299-17 3,326,607 6/1967 Book 299-17GERALD A. DOST, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

